Kathy then received a text (why does no-one actually call people any more?) and then got back in the taxi. But where is she going? We’re more intrigued by this than we are at the identity of Lucy Beale’s killer. Kinda.

Her return has apparently been shrouded in secrecy and the scenes were shot live on location to prevent actress Gillian Taylforth from being seen on set before the episode aired.

‘When Dominic approached me with his plan,’ Gillian said in a statement.

‘I was so shocked I got into my car and burst into tears! Kathy has always been so close to my heart and it’s absolutely wonderful to be returning to the show and reprising the role’.

(Picture: BBC)

‘I have always made my feelings on Kathy Beale and Gillian Taylforth very clear – she is part of EastEnders history, mother to Ian and Ben and one of the most important and iconic television characters on British television.

‘Six months ago, we set ourselves the challenge of bringing Kathy back to the Square in a credible way,’ says EE producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins.

‘And I believe we have succeeded. Viewers will have to keep watching to find out exactly why Kathy ‘died’, where she has been all these years and why she now wants to come home to Albert Square. This is only the beginning of one of the most earth-shattering storylines EastEnders has ever seen.’